Say Yes to the Duke: The Wildes of Lindow Castle

This is the first book that I can remember reading which is authored by Eloisa James. It is from her highly popular Wildes of Lindow Castle series. I found that for the most part I greatly enjoyed the story and would like to read additional offerings in the series. Timid, tongue-tied, Viola Astley, a step-daughter of the Duke of Lindow, makes her debut in society and manages to attract the attention of Devin Elstan, Duke of Wynter. He is determined to have her. She wants nothing to do with the Duke. After meeting the new vicar, she is love-struck, and feels life with him in the country is preferable to life in society. One thing stands in the way, he is already betrothed. I enjoyed the contrasting stories going on with Olivia trying to gain the attention of the vicar, the Duke trying to gain the interest of Olivia, and the side stories going on with the vicar’s unlikable betrothed, Otis, Devin's cousin, Olivia’s step-sister, and her best friend. I thought the dialogue was good and the banter between Olivia and Devin very witty. I loved Olivia’s pets as well as the humor in this work, especially regarding the Biblical play. There is some steam to the story of Olivia and Devin but it was not offensive. This is an engaging read worthy of 4 stars with a steam level of 3.

Perfect! That is what this book was. This is one of those reads where all the stars seem to align to aid in creating that special something that melts your heart and steals your breath. I loved the changes that love brought about in both Viola and Devin. I found Violet exceedingly easy to connect with. Her duality is something I can personally relate to. Devin was much more than you might expect and I always find it very appealing when the hero is so sure of what he wants, right up until he actually stumbles across what he truly needs and then he's all in. Sweet, heartfelt, cute and epically swoon worthy, their romance has easily earned a place on my keeper shelf. This is my freely posted, frank review.

The meet in the worst way. Viola, in her own house at her first ball and at the age of fifteen, had a traumatic meeting with Devin. He was publicly tupping his mistress. She never knew his name and he threw an epic rage, she developed an intense social anxiety for three or four years. Now, she’s a little older and at her debut ball meets Devin again, when he’s dismissing her and confirming all her worst fears about herself. In her own house. Devin is a duke with a traumatic upbringing. He’s big and austere. What I liked? They did have a good connection and chemistry and were a good match. And the extended closet scene. What I didn’t? That Devin was having sex with another woman and Viola witnessed it as a young teenager. This was dismissed too easily. That he thought of his mistress a lot and on his wedding day. That they too often recreated their original meeting only with Viola in place of the mistress (like all the time, including the closet with the slightly open door). Don’t get me wrong. I really liked this book, but there’s just a couple of things that didn’t sit well with me and really bugged me. I liked both Devin and Viola. Recommend.